Wednesday's Woman to Woman Salute:
Dame Shirley Bassey
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Dame Shirley Bassey at the 85th Annual Academy Awards |
The special bond between the U.S. and our brothers across the
pond is often solidified by our exchange of star power. At the 2013 Academy
Awards Dame Shirley Bassey brought new meaning to the word "timeless"
and captivated us all as she belted the popular Bond movie theme song, “Goldfinger.”
She looked absolutely regal, and in that moment we all prayed that we could
just come close to looking as glowingly gorgeous at 76.
Shirley Veronica Bassey was born in Cardiff Bay, Wales in
1937. Her voice impressed teachers and classmates from the shy age of 12. After
singing in local clubs and pubs, Bassey joined a touring variety show in 1953. Memories of Jolson was her first
professional engagement. After another show, Hot from Harlem, ran it’s course, she took a brief break until she
was discovered by Jack Hylton in 1956. From there, her career picked up with
number 1 hits and an EMI deal.
Bassey made her American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show in
1960. A few years later she appeared on the cover of Ebony magazine, and sang
at a Washington gala celebrating the end of President Kennedy's second year in
office. Bassey was on fire during the 60s and 70’s- putting “Goldfinger” at the
top of the Billboard Hot 100, 18 hit albums in the UK Albums Chart, and a Gold
Rose nomination for the last episode of The
Shirley Bassey Show on BBC.
With a career spanning over 50 years, Bassey simply amazes. In
2000 she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Her
accomplishments in the U.K. and the U.S. have helped pave the way for the
Jennifer Hudsons and Beyoncés who sing on international stages. Dame Shirley
Bassey, we salute you!
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